Zambian authorities are sounding the alarm after three separate elephant attacks over the past few days have left two dead and one critically injured. The incidents, which occurred over a span of three days, highlight the growing tensions between humans and wildlife in the country.
According to officials, the victims—a woman and two men—were attacked during the night, with one elderly individual still fighting for his life following a separate encounter. Dominic Chiinda, from Zambia’s National Parks and Wildlife Department, expressed concern over the escalating frequency of such attacks, pointing out that these tragedies could have been avoided had residents followed key wildlife safety measures.
“These incidents are regrettable and could have been prevented if the public adhered to established guidelines—such as avoiding nighttime walks and disturbing elephants,” said Chiinda in a statement issued from the capital, Lusaka.
Chiinda urged residents, particularly those living in wildlife corridors, to exercise increased vigilance. He advised giving elephants the right of way, avoiding surrounding them, and refraining from making loud noises or throwing objects at the animals. Additionally, Chiinda recommended minimizing movement at night, staying at a safe distance from elephants, and remaining calm when encountering them.
Zambia’s expansive savanna landscapes are home to a thriving elephant population, with occasional migrations from neighboring countries, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. While these animals are an integral part of Zambia’s natural heritage, human-wildlife conflict has been on the rise, largely due to human encroachment into national parks and Game Management Areas (GMAs).
The issue has sparked debate in the Zambian parliament, where lawmakers have recently been appointed as honorary wildlife police officers in a bid to strengthen law enforcement across the country’s 20 national parks and 36 GMAs. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address human-wildlife conflict and ensure the safety of both people and wildlife in Zambia’s protected areas.
